What does outpatient abuse treatment entail and how does it work? We’re explaining exactly what to expect so you can properly prepare.
Outpatient abuse treatment is a flexible addiction recovery program. It allows individuals to reside at home and commute to treatment sessions. That way, you don’t have to push pause on your job, degree, or family life.
When you think of rehab, your mind might conjure up the harmful images portrayed in the media. Or you may picture a luxury wellness spa-like environment reserved only for the uber-wealthy.
In this guide, we want to help you understand what getting sober is really like. We will discuss the ideal candidates for outpatient treatment, the types of outpatient programs, and the available therapies.
Who Needs Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse?
Outpatient treatment for substance abuse is ideal for people with mild to moderate substance use disorders (SUDs). These programs also work well for individuals who recently completed an inpatient addiction program.
These programs are highly flexible. They allow participants to live at home and commute to treatment sessions. The aim is to enable working adults and students to get the help they need while attending to their home, school, and work obligations.
An outpatient alcohol and drug treatment clinic provides programs for people with the following types of addictions:
- Alcohol
- Prescriptions
- Cocaine
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opioids
This type of treatment makes overcoming addiction feel possible. Unfortunately, outpatient programs are not for everyone.
Who Is Outpatient Treatment Not For?
Outpatient treatment is not for people who need detox and withdrawal services. These individuals must undergo medically supervised withdrawal before entering an outpatient program.
Additionally, outpatient programs are not ideal for people with poor home support systems. Individuals live at home while receiving care. Without a network of people who have your best interest at heart, the temptations of the ‘real world’ may be too strong to resist.
That is not to say that you can’t enroll in outpatient treatment without a home support system. The program will be more difficult. But if it’s your only option, any treatment is better than none at all.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment
Individuals needing detox services may benefit better from an inpatient program. The difference between inpatient and outpatient programs lies in their costs and sleeping arrangements.
Inpatient treatment is significantly more expensive than an outpatient program. In addition to the cost of therapy, participants must pay for detox services, medication management, and room and board.
Speaking of room and board, inpatient programs allow people with addictions to reside at the facility where they receive care. Compare that to outpatient programs where participants live at home for the duration of treatment.
Types of Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs are not just flexible because they allow you to live at home. Providers also offer multiple outpatient program types, depending on the time commitment enrollees are able to make.
Traditional Outpatient Programs
Traditional outpatient programs require the lowest time commitment. Participants will attend one or two treatment sessions per week. This type of outpatient program works well for people with mild to moderate addictions and extremely supportive family members and friends.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive type of outpatient program. PHPs require three to five treatment sessions per week, each lasting two to three hours.
This type of outpatient program is best for individuals with moderate to severe addictions who do not require detox but may need medication-assisted therapy.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a happy medium between traditional outpatient programs and PHPs. Participants attend at least three treatment sessions each week. The duration of these sessions depends on the program you enroll in.
For example, the Recovery Resources IOP consists of four three-hour-long counseling sessions per week. You can participate in an eight-week or 12-week program, depending on your needs. Meanwhile, you will live at home and commute to our addiction treatment center in Visalia.
What to Expect During Outpatient Abuse Treatment
Getting help for an addiction is one of the best things you can do for yourself. But it may not feel that way, especially when you don’t know what to expect from treatment at a drug and alcohol abuse center.
We want to help ease your mind, so here are the types of activities you can expect from outpatient treatment for drug abuse or alcoholism.
Individual Therapy
The main goal of addiction treatment is to get to the root of your substance use. You may have unresolved trauma from your past. Or you may use substances to self-treat the symptoms of a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Individual therapy can help you uncover the reasons why you use substances. You can then work with your counselor to develop new coping mechanisms to use in place of drinking or using drugs.
Group Therapy
Having an addiction can make you feel completely alone, going through treatment even more so. Group therapy is a way to connect with individuals who have been through it and are on the path to recovery, too.
This type of treatment will make you feel less lonely, which is a trigger for substance use. Additionally, studies show that some group addiction treatment sessions are highly effective at improving abstinence and decreasing post-treatment substance use rates.
Family Support
Addictions can be just as hard on family members as they are on people suffering from them. Things can be even more difficult if your family does not understand what you are going through.
Outpatient therapy programs like the one at Recovery Resources in Visalia, CA offer additional support for family members. This may look like educational workshops, group therapy, or one-on-one counseling. The goal is to heal wounds from the past and help you create a stronger support system for the future.
Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment in Visalia, CA
Outpatient treatment may be the flexible addiction recovery program you’ve been looking for. They allow you to live at home while receiving care. Your treatment sessions will consist of individual, group, and family therapy to get to the root of your substance use disorder.
Are you looking for outpatient abuse treatment in Visalia, California? Our substance abuse clinic offers an intensive outpatient program to help you balance recovery with your life obligations.
Contact Recovery Resources to verify your insurance coverage and learn more about our treatments.